Utility of the Skin Cancer Quality of Life Impact Tool (SCQOLIT)

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Use of the Skin Cancer Quality of Life Impact Tool (SCQOLIT) – a feasibility study in non-melanoma skin cancers

• IRAS ID

  155417

• Contact name

  Rubeta N H MATIN

• Contact email

  rubeta.matin@ouh.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 0 months, 0 days

• Research summary

  Background
  Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) provide validated evidence of health from the patient perspective. Incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is rapidly increasing, posing considerable burden on UK healthcare resources. Incorporation of cancer-specific PROMs can identify unmet needs and help to personalise management. There is limited evidence of use of PROMs in NMSC. This study aims to determine utility of a skin cancer-specific PROM – Skin Cancer Quality of Life Impact Tool (SCQOLIT) in patients with NMSC. We hypothesise that the SCQOLIT can be effectively incorporated into dermatology skin cancer clinics and provides a useful adjunct in the management of these patients.

  Methods/Design
  This prospective study will explore the practicality and value of the SCQOLIT tool to patients and clinicians in the dermatology clinical setting. All patients with a pathological diagnosis of NMSC (primary or recurrent) undergoing all treatment modalities will be included. Three hundred patients (100 with squamous cell carcinoma, 200 with basal cell carcinoma) identified in Dermatology outpatient clinics will be recruited to complete SCQOLIT questionnaires at baseline (after histological confirmation of NMSC), at 3 months (by postal or face:face) and at 6-9 months (high risk patients only). Structured interviews with twenty patients and focus group work with 10-15 Dermatology staff will establish acceptability of the SCQOLIT and identify any barriers to implementation. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses will be undertaken.

  Discussion
  The study is designed to assess feasibility of use of the SCQOLIT questionnaire. Outcomes from this study will inform future clinical management of patients with NMSC.

• REC name

  South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  14/SC/1446

• Date of REC Opinion

  2 Mar 2015

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion